Unite to promote martial arts, urges champion boxer Farkhan

Fresh from winning the WBA Asia South Cruiserweight title in Pattaya, Thailand on Sunday, Farkhan stressed it was time for stakeholders to unite and promote martial arts.

“Boxing is the best as it’s in the Olympics. Some will say MMA (mixed martial arts) is the best and then you would see karate or Muay Thai exponents saying their sport is the best … but we need to realise all these sports are good in their own way,” said the 31-year-old Johorean.

“If you’re in martial arts, you would know we could learn a thing or two from each other.

“So what we need to do is to unite to find the best way to promote the sport.”

“I’ve promoted Jihin during my boxing events. She’s good and we should recognise talent from other fighting disciplines.”

He said boxing and other martial arts have expanded in the region.

“In Singapore we see a lot of clubs and series mushrooming. The Philippines and Thailand have always created good boxers and martial artists.

“As for Malaysia, we are climbing up that ladder fast and I think the scene will just get bigger.

“Malaysia should host more international events and have more promoters, especially in boxing.”

While elated with his weekend victory – he knocked out Alexander Bajawa of Indonesia in the third round – Farkhan has already set his sights on a ranking match on Aug 9, ahead of a possible unification fight against Tanzania’s Abdallah Paziwapazi in November.

Paziwapazi is the World Boxing Federation Intercontinental Super Middleweight champion.

“It (weekend’s victory) was a good fight but now I’ve got to focus on my next two events.

“The fight in November will be interesting as it could be a unification fight against Paziwapazi.”

Farkhan has been a star in the Malaysian boxing scene since turning professional in 2015 and has won all 10 of his bouts.

He was also a gold medallist at the 2009 Laos SEA Games.

Since 2016, he has won the WBC Asia Cruiserweight (Singapore), WBC Asia light heavyweight (Johor) and ABF Cruiserweight (Manila).

He could add another title if the fight against Paziwapazi takes place.